Skippers, trawl makers and gear technologists are being urged to
participate in the second phase of projects now being called by the
Gear Innovation and Technology Advisory Group (GITAG) to
develop and trial innovative new types of fishing gear aimed at
reducing discards.

Four projects were successfully completed in the first phase,
the results of which offer scope for further development into
practical gear solutions for discard reduction.

Phase two will involve the industry and gear technologists
coming together to develop and assess further trials with the
purpose of assisting skippers maximise the potential of their ideas
and meeting their responsibilities under the discard ban.

This phase will also look to work with all sectors to develop
gears that will offer a choice of options and solutions over the
coming years. Funding of £1.08m has been secured by the Scottish
Fishermen's Federation's (SFF) subsidiary company SFF
Services from the Scottish Government and the European
Maritime & Fisheries Fund for phase two, which will
run until 31 December 2019. Project ideas and
proposals can be submitted throughout 2017.

SFF chief executive officer, Bertie Armstrong, said: "The SFF
saw the need to develop a funding mechanism to help our members
deal with the societal demand for less discards, so we were pleased
to be able to facilitate and lead in the development of the GITAG
partnership."

As well as the SFF, key partners in the GITAG initiative are
Seafish, Marine Scotland Science, Marine Scotland Policy and the
Scottish Association of Fish Producers' Organisations.

Project manager, Jennifer Mouat of the Aegir Consultancy, said:
"The first phase of the project proved successful in developing and
testing a number of gear designs, some of which offer real
potential for future development.

"We are now looking for calls for new ideas for the second phase
as we search for innovative solutions to tackle discard issues,
maximise quota use and ensure that the fishing fleet remains
economically viable."